B.S. in Intelligence Analysis
Harrisonburg, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Key Summary
Intelligence Analysis at JMU provides a multi-disciplinary education for students who seek careers as analysts with a specialization in intelligence analysis.
Our degree integrates knowledge from a variety of disciplines such as philosophy, history, economics, political science, technology, and business. Students learn how to be analysts with courses emphasizing research, reading, thinking, writing, and speaking – and the use of technologies to facilitate that. Topics addressed in our courses cover subjects related to security (such as terrorism or cybercrime) from any of the eight intelligence domains: national security, military, homeland security, law enforcement, business, private sector security, geospatial, and cyber.
The Intelligence Analysis (IA) major prepares students to become analysts in either the public or private sectors, with a specialization in intelligence analysis.
The IA program provides students with a multidisciplinary educational foundation and an overlay of skills development particularly in the areas of technology and analytic production.
Students learn innovative ways to structure their thinking, assess complex real-world problems and communicate those assessments to decision makers.
As an IA major you’ll:
- Learn how to transform raw information into critical reports used to understand intelligence issues
- Gain an aptitude for identifying intelligence gaps, evaluating information from multiple sources, monitoring trends and interpreting events related to particular countries or issues through your coursework.
- Learn innovative ways to structure your thinking to solve complex real-world problems when there is both time pressure and a lack of reliable information.
- Customize your degree to different types of analysis through your choice of a minor.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Intelligence Analysis is a three or four-year program (approximately 74 credit hours, including a required minor in another field) designed to prepare students to be analysts upon graduation. Students complete the IA curriculum as a cohort, taking courses that are required each semester to complete the degree. A complete listing of all core and elective courses is in the Intelligence Analysis section of the JMU Course Catalog
The IA curriculum consists of a common core that provides a foundation in knowledge and skills of the analyst, analytic methods, and technology. Beyond the core requirements, students complete a minor as a way to develop additional knowledge and/or skills, and two IA elective courses. IA majors can customize their degree and orientation to different kinds of analysis through their choice of a minor.
Requirements for the IA program change on a year-by-year basis and may change.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses: 120 Credit Hours
- General Education 41 Credit Hours 1
- Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education) 3 Credit Hours
- Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education) 3-4 Credit Hours
- IA foundations and methods courses 48 Credit Hours
- IA elective courses 6 Credit Hours
- Subject Matter Specialty 18-21 Credit Hours
- General Elective Courses 0-1 Credit Hours
Footnote
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill.
General Education Courses: 41 Credit Hours
- Cluster One (PHIL 120 recommended) 9 Credit Hours
- Cluster Two (REL 101 recommended) 9 Credit Hours
- Cluster Three (ISAT 251 or MATH 220 required) 10 Credit Hours
- Cluster Four (POSC 200 or POSC 225 recommended) 7 Credit Hours
- Cluster Five (PSYC 101 recommended) 6 Credit Hours
IA Foundation and Core Courses: 48 Credit Hours
IA Foundations Courses: 24 Credits
- IA 150. Introduction to Intelligence Analysis Credits: 3.00
- IA 200. Introduction to National Security Intelligence Credits: 3.00
- IA 210. Introduction to Global Competitive Intelligence Credits: 3.00
- IA 250. Research Design and Writing for Intelligence Analysis Credits: 3.00
- IA 300. Seminar on Issues in Intelligence Analysis Credits: 3.00
- IA 405. Ethics, Law and Intelligence Analysis Credits: 3.00
- IA 440. Intelligence Analysis Capstone Project Preparation Credits: 3.00
- IA 450. Capstone Project in Intelligence Analysis Credits: 3.00
Technology Methods Courses: 12 Credits
- IA 240. Technology Applications in a Networked World Credits: 3.00
- IA 241. Introduction to Programming and Data Science Credits: 3.00
- IA 340. Data Mining, Modeling and Knowledge Discovery Credits: 3.00
- IA 342. Visualization Methods, Technologies and Tools for Intelligence Analysis Credits: 3.00
Reasoning Methods Courses: 12 Credits
- IA 261. Hypothesis Testing Credits: 3.00
- IA 312. Causal Analysis Credits: 3.00
- IA 313. Counterfactual Reasoning Credits: 3.00
- IA 314. Strategy Assessment (Rational Decision Theory) Credits: 3.00
IA Elective Courses: 6 Credits
Students must take two of the following IA elective courses:
- IA 341. System Dynamics Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis Credits: 3.00
- IA 360. Terrorism and Counterterrorism Credits: 3.00
- IA 363. Apocalypticism, Religious Terrorism and Peace Credits: 3.00
- IA 365. Cyber Intelligence Credits: 3.00
- IA 370. Advanced Competitive Intelligence Credits: 3.00
- IA 459. Awareness and Understanding of Chemical, Biological and Radiological Weapons of Mass Destruction Credits: 3.00
- IA 460. All Hazards Response And Management Systems Credits: 3.00
- IA 480. Selected Topics in Intelligence Analysis Credits: 3.00 (IA 480 may be taken twice)
- GEOG 375. Political Geography Credits: 3.00
Subject Matter Specialty: 18-21 Credits
Students must complete a minor or a second major in another field (at least 18 credits). With the approval of an IA adviser, students may, in special cases, design their own custom concentration of six courses that fit together thematically and support the educational objectives of the IA program.
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
Intelligence Analysis
- ISS Robotics Software Integration Systems Engineer at Jacobs
- Lunar Terrain Vehicle Systems Engineer at Jacobs
- Market Research Analyst - Healthcare & Life Science - Remote Opportunity at Proactive Worldwide
- Bathymetrist at National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- Client Delivery Consulting Associate - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Cyber Response Consulting Associate - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Cyber Testing Consulting Associate - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Credit Analyst (Commercial Banking Portfolio Coordinator – Spreading and Pre-Close Covenant Monitoring) at Wells Fargo
- Systems Engineer (Entry-Level)- Chantilly, VA at Peraton
- Assistant Account Executive, Social Impact & Sustainability at Edelman
- Fire Operations Engineer- REMOTE at Whisker Labs, Inc.
- Senior Analyst, Market Manipulation - Any FINRA Location at Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
- Director of Business Intelligence & Data Strategy at New York City: Department of Housing Preservation & Development
- Hardware Digital Design & Verification Engineer (University Grad) at Qualcomm
- Software Engineer (University Grad) at Qualcomm
- Analyst at Aurora Energy Research
- Corporate Audit Services (IT Audit) Management Trainee 2023 at BNSF Railway
- Client Solution Specialist - Climate Change at Risilience
- Salesforce Developer at M&S Consulting
Intelligence
- Personnel Security Specialist - Investigations Case Analyst at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) - HQ Quantico, VA
- Jr. Account Executive/Consultant - Leadership Development Program at AIM Group
- Government and Public Service Analyst - Enabling Areas Rotational Program (Summer/Fall 2023 Start) at Deloitte
- Government and Public Service Analyst - Enabling Areas Rotational Program (Winter 2023 Start) at Deloitte
- Consultant at Pointe Advisory
- Open Source Analyst, Brazilian Portuguese Linguist (Entry Level) at Red Five Security Consulting
- Open Source Analyst, Spanish Linguist (Entry Level) at Red Five Security Consulting
- Open Source Analyst, Entry Level at Red Five Security Consulting
- Navy General Officer Programs at US Navy
- Associate at Portman Square Group
- Senior Market and Competitive Intelligence Analyst at Lone Star Analysis
Cyber Engineering
- Business Insurance Data Scientist - Summer Intern at Farmers Insurance Corporate Careers
- Business Insurance Product Analyst - Summer Intern at Farmers Insurance Corporate Careers
- Actuarial Intern at Farmers Insurance Corporate Careers
- Accounting Intern at Weyrich | Cronin | Sorra, LLC
- 2023 Aronson Accelerate Leadership Program at Aronson
- Human Resources Intern at Sleep Number Corporation
- MRC Culture Paid Internship - Spring 2023 at Media Research Center
- Safety Intern - Kiewit Safety (Summer 2023) at Kiewit
- Accounting Intern – Summer 2023 at WPS Health Solutions
- Talent Acquisition Intern – Summer 2023 at WPS Health Solutions
- 2023 Summer Intern - Information Security at State Farm Insurance Companies
- WEB3 Interns - Music Industry at Ropeadope
- Corporate Relations Summer Intern 2023 (Paid) at BNSF Railway
- Environmental Summer Intern 2023 (Paid) at BNSF Railway
- 2023 - Early Career – Enterprise Risk Management – Summer Intern - United States, Multiple Locations at AIG
- Corporate Audit Services Summer Intern 2023 (Paid) at BNSF Railway
- Corporate Communications Internship Summer 2023 at Hanesbrands, Inc.
- 2023 Risk Management Division Summer Analyst Program - New York at Societe Generale
- 2023 Information Technology Summer Analyst Program (New York) at Societe Generale
Analyst
- Senior Research Analyst at International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- Research Analyst at International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- Macroeconomist, North America (U.S and Canada) at S&P Global
- Research Associate (Health Policy) at Cato Institute
- Research Fellow at Cato Institute
- Medical Economics Analyst – Work From Home Flexible at CVS Health
- Economic Analyst at North Carolina Department of Commerce
- University Associate, Disputes & Economics (Valuation & Transaction Disputes) at Ankura
- Senior Consultant (DC - Hybrid) at Edgeworth Economics
- Economic Consultant (DC - Hybrid) at Edgeworth Economics
- Economics Research Associate at Cato Institute
- Analyst/Senior Analyst (Bay Area) at Aurora Energy Research
Internships for JMU Students
Intelligence Analysis
- Dell Technologies Services Undergrad Analytics Intern at Dell Technologies
- State Advocacy Intern at BSA | The Software Alliance
- Cyber Response Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Cyber Testing Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- IT Engineering Intern - Information Security at PetSmart
- Finance Intern - Automation at PetSmart
- Dell Technologies Services Undergrad Analytics Summer Intern at Dell Technologies
- 2023 Summer Intern: Innovation & Automation Intern (Product Manager/Automation Engineer Intern) at Walmart Corporate
- AT&T Supply Chain Undergrad Internships -Technology Enablement & Automation at AT&T
- AT&T Supply Chain Graduate Internships -Technology Enablement & Automation at AT&T
- AT&T Supply Chain Undergrad Internships -Sourcing at AT&T
- AT&T Supply Chain Graduate Internships -Sourcing at AT&T
- Analyst Summer Intern at Rystad Energy
- Dell Technologies Services - Undergraduate Cybersecurity Intern at Dell Technologies
- Dell Technologies Services - Systems Development Engineer Intern at Dell Technologies
- Technical Intern - Data Scientist at Ball Aerospace
- Technical Intern - Thermal Engineer at Ball Aerospace
- Technical Intern - Optical Engineer at Ball Aerospace
- 30092392 Commercial HVAC Quality intern at Carrier
Intelligence
- Developer Analyst - Explorer Summer Intern Program - 2023 at Barclays
- State Advocacy Intern at BSA | The Software Alliance
- Technical Intern - Thermal Engineer at Ball Aerospace
- Commercial Banking Summer Intern at Santander Bank, N.A.
- Contract Administration associate (Intern) at General Dynamics Information Technology
- 2023 Summer Associate Program at Institute for Defense Analyses
- NCIS Summer Intern at Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
- Fall 2022 Corporate Partnerships Intern at Share Our Strength
- Fall 2022 Family Economic Opportunity Community of Practice Intern at Share Our Strength
- Fall 2022 No Kid Hungry Grants Team Intern at Share Our Strength
- Fall 2022 Education & Training Intern at Share Our Strength
- Temporary Hire Student - Summer 2023 at National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- Summer Intern - Business Intelligence at StoneTurn
- INROADS & The Federal Reserve Bank of New York: 2023 Sophomore Career Exploration Program at INROADS
- National Security and International Affairs Summer 2023 Intern at The Institute of World Politics
- National Security and International Affairs Spring 2023 Intern at The Institute of World Politics
- Business Development Intern at Clear Resolution Consulting
- (Mandarin Speaking) Global Brand Ambassador Business Development Marketing Intern at Mandarin Consulting
- Marketing Assistant Intern-GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR （Mandarin speaking） at Mandarin Consulting
Cyber Engineering
- Government Risk Strategy Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- IT Engineering Intern - Information Security at PetSmart
- 2023 Summer Corporate Internship - Legal at Hilton
- 2023 Summer Corporate Internship - Finance at Hilton
- 2023 Summer Corporate Internship - Sales/Operations/Global Distribution at Hilton
- 2023 Summer Corporate Internship - Data Analytics at Hilton
- 2023 Summer Corporate Internship - HR/Communications at Hilton
- 2023 Summer Corporate Internship - Brands/Marketing/Loyalty at Hilton
- 2023 Summer Corporate Internship - Technology/Customer Experience at Hilton
- 2023 Summer Corporate Internship - Supply Chain Management at Hilton
- 2023 Summer Corporate Internship - Design/Development at Hilton
- 2023 Summer Corporate Internship - RMCC/HRCC at Hilton
- Technology, Digital Products & Cybersecurity Interns - Summer 2023 at PPL Corporation
- 2023 Summer Intern - Information Security at State Farm Insurance Companies
- Cyber Security Intern - Fairfax, VA at CGI
- [REMOTE] GRC - Cyber Security Intern - Summer 2023 at BHG Financial
- IT Summer Intern - Cyber Security at Arconic Corp
- Cybersecurity Engineering Intern at Brightspot
- Cybersecurity Summer Internship at Casey's
Analyst
- 2023 Markets Summer Analyst Program (Chicago) at Societe Generale
- University Intern, Disputes & Economics (Valuation & Transaction Disputes) at Ankura
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.